credit: dan paluska
Ever sine the attempted terrorist bombing on December 26th there have been new security restrictions in place for flights to the USA. Now that I’ve successfully flown through them it’s time to set the record straight on exactly what goes on for these flights. The warnings were always pretty vague. Likely meant to scare people into not carrying anything on with you at all. I’m here to say don’t be scared, just show up early.
The Real Deal With Carry-On Luggage
Saying that there is no carry-ons allowed is not at all accurate. Purses of all shapes and sizes were allowed on board. In the Flight advisories, they claim only small purses are allowed. There were plenty of over-sized purses being toted around by the over-sized sunglasses, Ugg boot wearing types.
Laptops were also singled out as being “ok” for carry-on, but again were vague on the laptop bag itself being brought on board. Turns out that any size goes with laptop bags too. So feel free to stuff that laptop bag full of socks and underwear so if that checked baggage goes missing you have a backup plan.
US Customs In Canada
The flight plan for this trip was Charlottetown (YYG) -> Montreal (YUL) -> New York (LGA). There was just one hour allowed for the connection in Montreal. This was for the connection, security check, and customs. Yikes.
The Good…
We didn’t have to pick up the checked luggage to go through customs. When traveling to states they would normally have you pick up your luggage and go through customs, and drop it off again. Fortunately at the Montreal airport luggage is checked through. Only Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax offer this. So if you have to make a connection keep this in mind! It was the only way we this tight connection.
The Bad…
The US departures gates are literally on the exact opposite side of the airport. It was about a 15 minute near running pace to get there. With such a long way to go, the sweaty backs and sore feet make customs and security a smelly experience. You’ll also need to have your boarding passes out because along this perilous journey you’ll be asked for it about half a dozen times by random security people peppered along the route. Then it’s security check 1. Standard airport security. Go directly to Customs, do no pass go, do not collect $200. Then walk more and ready for the new security check two.
The New Touch
Welcome to security check 2. With the departure gates in sight, you’re almost there. Just be prepared for the security agents to go through all of your belongings. Now they are not just looking for explosives or dangerous hurtful things, but anything that would make you suspect. I really do mean everything, including rifling this books, wallets, and purses. Pat downs and swabbing hands were two new things that haven’t happened anytime I’ve travelled. But with all of that we were finally through and on board for the NYC.
Go North Young Man
On the return to Canada from LGA was so much simpler. Standard airport security check. Apparently leaving the US is not a concern. So I’ve already expressed my opinion on the new security restrictions, but now having gone through them it’s just more of the same. To my mind, totally unnecessary, but not currently more invasive. We’ll wait until those full body scanners are installed, but that’s another discussion.
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Written by Journeyman
Topics: Air Travel, Rants